Mobility Scooter and Power Wheelchair Airline Resource Guide

Traveling with a mobility scooter or power wheelchair requires some preparation. Airlines generally accept power mobility devices as assistive equipment, but battery procedures, cargo-door sizes, forms, and advance-notice recommendations can vary.

This resource guide covers six of the most frequently used airlines in the United States: Delta, American, Southwest, United, Alaska, and JetBlue.

Use this guide as a starting point. Always contact the airline operating your flight before traveling because airline policies, aircraft assignments, and battery requirements can change.

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Table of Contents

• Quick Federal Rules
• Information to Gather Before Calling the Airline
• Delta Air Lines
• American Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines
• Alaska Airlines
• JetBlue
• Quick Airline Comparison
• Universal Travel Checklist
• Connecting Flights and Codeshare Airlines
• Government Resources

Quick Federal Rules

The following guidelines generally apply to flights within, to, or from the United States:

• Mobility scooters and power wheelchairs usually travel in the aircraft's cargo compartment.
• Travelers can generally use their device through the airport and check it at the boarding gate.
• Mobility devices are assistive devices and should not count against the passenger's normal checked baggage allowance.
• Removed and spare lithium batteries must travel in the passenger cabin.
• Removable lithium-ion mobility batteries are generally limited to 300 watt-hours.
• One spare lithium battery up to 300 Wh, or two spare batteries up to 160 Wh each, may generally be permitted.
• Properly installed AGM, gel, and other non-spillable batteries can usually remain with the device.
• The device must be protected against accidental activation.
• The operating airline makes the final decision about acceptance.

Information to Gather Before Calling the Airline

Have the following information available:

• Manufacturer and model
• Total device weight
• Length, width, and height
• Folded or disassembled dimensions
• Battery type
• Battery voltage and amp-hour rating
• Lithium battery watt-hour rating
• Battery-removal instructions
• Instructions for turning off the device
• Freewheel-mode instructions
• Safe lifting points

Delta Air Lines

Advance notice: Delta recommends providing battery and mobility-device information at least 48 hours before departure.

Handling form: Delta provides a Mobility Device Handling Form. Complete it before traveling and attach it to the device.

Battery guidance: Removable lithium batteries and qualifying spare batteries must travel in the passenger cabin. Protected batteries that are installed as an integral part of the device may remain installed.

Important: Contact Delta if the device may be too large for the cargo door or must remain upright.

Accessibility assistance: 404-209-3434

Official information:
https://www.delta.com/us/en/accessible-travel-services/wheelchair-services

American Airlines

Advance notice: Contact American Special Assistance before traveling with a battery-powered mobility device.

Handling instructions: American recommends labeling the device and attaching written handling, disassembly, and reassembly instructions.

Battery guidance: The battery must be properly labeled as lithium-ion, non-spillable dry cell, or spillable wet cell. Removable lithium mobility batteries may need to be carried in the cabin and must meet applicable watt-hour limits.

Important: American recommends arriving at the departure gate one hour before the flight. Cargo-door dimensions depend on the aircraft.

Special Assistance: 800-237-7976

Official information:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/mobility-and-medical-devices.jsp

Southwest Airlines

Advance preparation: Southwest provides a Wheelchair and Mobility Aid Information Form. Complete it before arriving at the airport.

Handling form: The form requests the device's model, weight, dimensions, battery type, removable parts, and safe lifting points.

Battery guidance: Lithium-ion batteries must be removed from mobility devices and carried in the passenger cabin. The lithium battery must not exceed 300 Wh. Protected non-spillable batteries may remain installed when the device's power can be isolated.

Important: Southwest's form lists maximum transport dimensions of 45 inches wide by 34 inches high and a maximum weight of 500 pounds. Confirm acceptance before booking.

Customer assistance: 800-435-9792

Official form:
https://www.southwest.com/swa-resources/pdfs/customer_service/Wheelchair-Mobility-Aid-Info-Form.pdf

United Airlines

Advance notice: Contact United's Accessibility Desk before traveling with a power mobility device.

Sizing tool: United offers a digital tool that allows travelers to enter their mobility device's dimensions while searching for flights. The results identify aircraft that can accommodate those measurements.

Battery guidance: United follows FAA requirements for lithium-ion, non-spillable, and spillable mobility batteries. Removed lithium batteries must travel in the passenger cabin.

Important: Measure the device at its smallest safe transport size. Confirm the operating airline when the itinerary includes a United Express or partner flight.

Accessibility Desk: 800-228-2744

Wheelchair-sizing information:
https://united.mediaroom.com/2024-03-28-United-Makes-It-Easier-for-Customers-Who-Use-Wheelchairs-to-Book-Flights-That-Can-Accommodate-Their-Personal-Device

Alaska Airlines

Advance notice: Contact Alaska Accessible Services before departure and provide the device's dimensions, weight, battery type, and handling instructions.

Battery guidance: Alaska follows federal requirements for lithium-ion, non-spillable, and spillable mobility batteries. Removed and spare lithium batteries must travel in the passenger cabin.

Important: Alaska itineraries may include flights operated by Horizon Air, SkyWest, Hawaiian Airlines, or another partner. Verify the operating carrier and aircraft.

Accessible Services: 800-503-0101

Official help center:
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/about-us/help-contact

JetBlue

Advance preparation: Bring clear battery documentation and a readable manufacturer's label.

Battery guidance: JetBlue accepts lithium-ion, spillable, and non-spillable batteries with restrictions. Lithium mobility batteries are limited to 300 Wh. An unprotected removable lithium battery must travel in the passenger cabin.

Spare batteries: JetBlue permits one spare lithium mobility battery up to 300 Wh or two spare batteries up to 160 Wh each.

Important: Non-spillable batteries should be clearly marked "Non-Spillable." Damaged, leaking, or recalled batteries are not accepted.

Customer assistance: 800-538-2583

Official battery information:
https://www.jetblue.com/help/batteries

Quick Airline Comparison

Delta: Contact 48 hours ahead and complete the Mobility Device Handling Form.

American: Contact Special Assistance, attach handling instructions, and arrive at the gate one hour early.

Southwest: Complete its information form. Lithium batteries must be removed and carried in the cabin.

United: Use the digital sizing tool to find an aircraft that can accommodate the device.

Alaska: Contact Accessible Services and confirm the operating carrier.

JetBlue: Bring clear battery documentation and verify the watt-hour rating.

Universal Travel Checklist

Before traveling:

1. Measure the mobility device.
2. Record its total weight.
3. Identify the exact battery type.
4. Find the lithium battery's watt-hour rating.
5. Contact every airline operating the trip.
6. Complete the airline's handling form if one is available.
7. Attach operating and handling instructions.
8. Label the device with your name and telephone number.
9. Remove or protect loose accessories.
10. Photograph the device from every side.
11. Bring the owner's manual and battery specifications.
12. Allow extra time for check-in and inspection.

Connecting Flights and Codeshare Airlines

The airline shown on the ticket may not operate every flight. Regional and codeshare flights can use different aircraft with smaller cargo doors and different mobility-device procedures.

Check each flight to identify the operating carrier. Contact every operating airline and confirm that it can accommodate the device and battery.

Approval from one airline does not guarantee that another airline or aircraft can accept the same mobility device.

The Most Important Advice

Do not rely only on the words "airline approved." A battery may meet federal limits while the mobility device is too large for the assigned aircraft.

Confirm the battery, device dimensions, aircraft, required forms, and handling procedures directly with the operating airline before every trip.

This resource guide reflects airline and U.S. government information available in August 2026. Policies and aircraft assignments can change. Verify all requirements directly with the airline before traveling.

Government Resources

FAA PackSafe: Wheelchairs and Mobility Devices
https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/wheelchairs-mobility-devices

FAA: Airline Passengers and Batteries
https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/airline-passengers-and-batteries

U.S. Department of Transportation: Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights
https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/disabilitybillofrights